Feature Photo By: Nealani Elliston – Juniors David (DJ) Guzman, Charles Hulongbayan and senior Kenny Luong work side by side. The 150 teams come from all over including Japan, Germany, Guam, and Alaska.
All three teams from the Rangeview Stellar Xplorers club will be competing in the semifinal round of the national high school space challenge to qualify for national finals in Colorado Springs. Stellarxplorers is a spin off of the Cyber Patriots – the founders wanted to create a new program geared more towards computer and space. It might sound complicated but it’s not, think satellites. Satellites effect more than one would think: radio stations, other forms of communication and GPS. The club offers field trips and many other resources to introduce members to real-world aerospace engineers in the field.
Rangeview has been in every competition since Stellarxplorers first began. Last year, the Cosmo Raiders and Space Raiders made it to Nationals.
The team is consistently in the top 10, teacher Mr. Brown says, “I’m not worried, we’ve been a part of this for a while and the students teach each other at this point.” Mr. Brown talked about the teams past mentor, Captain Chris Dong. He couldn’t be apart of the program anymore because he decided to continue his work in the air force. “He knew so much and taught so much that this year, they teach each other,” Brown said.
Brown wants students who seem to show a real passion for STEM, often relying on the students to seek out their friends and peers who could make a great addition to the team. He strives to reach all grade levels. Junior Helen Do says “I think we’ll do alright, the problem is if you make one mistake it can ruin everything.” She wants to become a mechanical engineer after high school.
If you’re interested in the air force, you’ll have the opportunity to meet important people like officers as well as give an oral presentation where you can prove your knowledge. If you’re interested, keep your eyes peeled; Brown and current students are already recruiting.
